Many contribute to H1N1 vaccine clinic success

Posted: Sunday, January 11, 2009

I am writing to extend our sincere appreciation and thanks to all those that volunteered, donated time, energy, food, expertise and equipment to the many Novel H1N1 Mass Dispensing Clinics that have taken place the past two months throughout the Kenai Peninsula.

In April our country first heard about the "swine flu" that spread and devastated families, individuals and communities around the world. We knew this new influenza virus had the potential to impact our local communities. Alaska has lived through the devastation of how influenza can wipe out entire communities. It is history we don't want repeated. It wasn't until May that H1N1 influenza virus hit Alaska and brought the reality of such potential devastation closer to home.

Through local planning and prevention efforts our local communities acted quickly and we have been able to prevent widespread illness our communities. These prevention and education efforts took place through newspaper articles, radio shows, business participation, H1N1 vaccinations in schools and community, school and daycare education, increased hand washing education, and staying home when you are sick. This is truly how the public health system works to keep such pandemics at bay. It took many people from many organizations to put our children and high-risk populations first with the ultimate goal of protecting our whole population.

So, with our gratitude on behalf of our health centers in Seward, Homer and Kenai, we thank all those that helped educate, plan, organize, participate and donate to our mass dispensing H1N1 clinics that took place in the schools and communities! Without your help, this would not have been possible: